dc madam suicided?

from usa today: Police say they believe Deborah Palfrey, the so-called D.C. Madam, may have committed suicide at her mother’s home in Tarpon Springs, Fla., according to the Associated Press and local news organizations.

“Tarpon Springs detectives said a body was found in a small storage shed on the west side of the mobile home,” the St. Petersburg Times reports. “Handwritten notes were found that describe the victim’s intention to take her life, and foul play does not appear to be involved.”

Palfrey, 52, was convicted last month in a high-profile federal case that involved allegations of prostitution and related financial crimes.

Update at 1:59 p.m. ET: Multiple news organizations are reporting that the dead woman has been tentatively identified as Palfrey.

Federal prosecutors say they haven’t heard from the police in Florida.

“Although we’re aware of the media reports, we’re still waiting for confirmation from law enforcement authorities,” Channing Phillips, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington, tells AP.

The Times says FBI agents are involved in the investigation into the woman’s death.

Update at 2:11 p.m. ET: Here’s what Palfrey told ABC News last year: “I sure as heck am not going to be going to federal prison for one day, let alone, you know, four to eight years.”

Update at 2:26 p.m. ET:CNN says the body has not been positively identified. The network says police plan to hold a news conference at 3:30 p.m. ET.

The Washington Post reports that a statement from local police, which USA TODAY is still waiting to receive via e-mail, says: Detectives are investigating an apparent suicide of a W/F that appears to be in her early 50’s (id not yet confirmed, Detectives believe the victim to be Deborah Jean Palfrey, 3/18/56 known allegedly as the ‘D.C. Madam’, who was reportedly staying at this location with her mother Blanche who owns the residence) deceased in a small storage shed located on the west side of the mobile home.

Update at 2:35 p.m. ET:Fox News has the most definitive report we’ve seen on the dead woman’s identity and cause of death. “It was her, and she’s deceased,” Frank Ruggiero, a spokesman for the Tarpon Springs Police Department, is quoted as saying. “There’s no question that it was a suicide.”

update: palfrey predicted she would be suicided
from paul joseph watson: DC Madam Deborah Jeane Palfrey predicted she would be “suicided” on several occasions both recently and as far back as 17 years ago – comments that now appear ominous in light of the announcement that the former head of a Washington escort service allegedly killed herself today.